GREEN ISLAND

Emily Woo Zeller's portrayal of a family living through a fraught period in Taiwan's history is by turns dry and engaging. Zeller's grave tone lacks enough intonation to keep the story interesting when she narrates characters' internal monologues as well as events important to the novel's historical context. These include the Chinese Nationalists' imprisonment of oppositionists, including the unnamed main character's father, Dr. Tsai. However, Zeller redeems herself through her reading of dialogue, which she dramatizes with skill. Most striking is her portrayal of Li Min Tsai's cries during labor, before the main character is born and the story unfolds. M.F.R. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2016]